FAA gives nod for 747-8 to operate at three airports

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given approval for the Boeing 747-8 to operate at three US airports under certain conditions, after it allowed for modifications to certain standards requested by the airports.

Washington Dulles had requested for the modification of six standards in order to allow for the 747-8 to operate there. It asked for permission for the 747-8 to operate on the existing Airplane Design Group (ADG) V 150 ft wide runways with no modifications, even though the 747-8 is an ADG VI aircraft by definition.

In its justification, the airport said the aircraft "closely resembles the 747-400 (an ADG V aircraft) in many ways". "The wingspan, the historical determinant of an aircraft's design group, is only eleven feet wider than the 747-400," it added.

The FAA said it has no objection for the 747-8 to operate on the runway "provided the runway has at least a 35 ft shoulder that can support the occasional passage of a 747-8".

Houston airport requested for a modification of standard to allow 747-8 aircraft to operate for the purpose of gate access only into gates D11 and D12, with clearances defined for ADG V aircraft.